Children’s Parliament Investigates Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Western Isles

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) wanted to improve children’s mental health and wellbeing services across the Western Isles.

Lockdown has affected children’s mental health very badly and we would like you to listen to how we think you can help us to improve children’s mental health and well-being. Our main concerns are that children must be listened to. You must make sure children have their say

Group of MCP’s

Improving Mental Health and Wellbeing

The children presented these calls to action to the Western Isles Council.

  1. Help children put a stop to bullying, cyberbullying and feelings of exclusion
  2. Make sure every school and community has a safe, private space where children can talk to an adult if they are worried, upset or having a difficult time
  3. Have specialist art and PE teachers for every school and nursery
  4. Create child-friendly information and knowledge on what activities, services and support children are able to access, the benefits of it and how to get involved.
  5. Make sure our communities are healthy, clean environments where everyone has access to clean water and healthy food – especially those with little money
  6. Create, repair and improve play and outdoor spaces – and more learning outdoors!
  7. Create more activities, clubs and places where children can go to hang out, play, learn new skills and make new friends
  8. Make a commitment to involving children in decisions that affect them

The engagement process

In this project, Children’s Parliament worked in partnership with four primary schools and nurseries to capture the diversity of children’s views, ideas and experiences on mental health and wellbeing. As with all our work, we used creative, participatory and play-based methods to support children to explore and express key concepts and views on mental health and wellbeing.

The Investigation had the following key elements:

  • Exploratory Workshops; 140 children participated in creative, activity-based workshops designed by Children’s Parliament and then delivered by school staf
  • The Investigation; 15 children from across the four schools became our team of MCP Investigators. Over eight weeks the MCP Investigators worked together remotely on online calls to share and further explore the views of their peers.
  • Milly the Mascot; (Mental Health, Island Community, Language, Listening, You) As we were in Covid restrictions, Milly the fox travelled round the different schools, connecting the individuals.
Report

Click to view or download the report below:

Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Western Isles (2021)Download

Children’s Parliament Investigates Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Western Isles was commissioned by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council)

Date: 2021
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